The longest running holiday tradition in Manteca — the downtown Christmas parade — returns for the 52nd year on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m.

It has been staged since its inception by the Manteca Chamber of Commerce.

The twilight parade route is down Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Manteca High where it will end on Garfield Avenue. 

The event goes hand-in-hand with the business organization’s Christmas in the Park the same day from noon to 8 p.m. at Library Park.

The eight hour event features craft vendors, rides, games, food trucks, vendors, and Santa.

Booths for homemade crafts are $75 for chamber members while non-profit booths are $50 for chamber members. Booths in both categories for non-chamber members are $25 more.

Commercial booths are $100 and food truck/food booth spaces are $125 for chamber members. Non-chamber members are $50 for both categories.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Christmas Around the World.”

The entry fee is $50. Entry forms must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m.

Parade and Christmas in the Park sponsors are Yolie’s Towing, Valley Strong Credit Union, Triplex Solutions, Dairy Queen, South San Joaquin Irrigation District, Brocchini Family Partnership, and Cruising Cones 6.

Application forms for both events are on the chamber’s website at manteca.org.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com